JPH10255724A - Glow starter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a practical glow starter requiring no radioactive material to be added while fixing the phosphor having energy more than a constant and showing sufficiently long phosphorescence on an outer or inner surface of a glow starter tube and by utilizing photoelectric effect caused by its persistence. SOLUTION: A long phosphorescence phosphor taking at least more than 15 hours to decay the luminance to 0.32mCd/m<2> is arranged in a discharge tube so that the persistence emitted from it at least a part enters the electrode surface of the discharge tube. The long phosphorescence phosphor is kneaded into a resin or the glass having the optical transmissive property and can be used to the whole or a portion of the discharge tube. The long phosphorescence phosphor is formed into a paint, ink or a luminous member with a resin having the optical transmissive property and can be fixed on the surface of the tube by coating, printing and adhesion. The luminous member 10 is formed by using the long phosphorescence phosphor, the luminous member 10 can be fixed on a part of the discharge tube so that the phosphorescence emitted from the long phosphorescence phosphor at least a part of it enters surface of the electrode of the discharge tube.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a glow starter,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a glow starter used for starting a fluorescent lamp, and particularly to a glow starter not using a radioactive substance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a glow starter has been used for starting a fluorescent lamp. Many of such glow starters use a trace amount of a radioisotope in order to improve the discharge initiation characteristics in a dark place. Specifically, for example, Pm-147 or Ni-6 of about 0.01 to 1 μCi is used.
By processing a radioisotope such as 3 on the electrode wire surface by a method such as electrodeposition, or by encapsulating a gaseous radioactive substance such as Kr-85 in a glow starter tube, the inside of the discharge tube is always ionized. The discharge is started immediately at the time of lighting.

However, since such a conventional glow starter contains a small amount of radioactive material, it is necessary to provide facilities that meet radiation safety standards and strict management for safe handling when manufacturing or handling. It had been.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a glow starter by providing or arranging a phosphor having a certain energy or more and exhibiting a sufficiently long afterglow on the surface or inside surface of a glow starter tube. It is an object of the present invention to provide a practical glow starter that does not require the addition of a radioactive substance by utilizing the photoelectric effect caused by afterglow.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a glow for reliably starting discharge even in a dark place by irradiating the afterglow of a long afterglow phosphor onto an electrode surface constituting a glow discharge tube. It was created by the discovery that a discharge tube could be obtained. Specifically, in order to achieve the above-described object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is characterized in that the afterglow time required for the luminance to attenuate to 0.32 mCd / m ² is at least 15 hours or more. Afterglow emitted from a certain long-afterglow phosphor,
The discharge tube is characterized in that the discharge tube is arranged so that at least a part thereof enters the electrode surface.

[0006] Here, "the luminance is 0.32 mCd / m
The afterglow luminance of " ² " is a luminance that is 100 times as high as the luminance level that can be visually recognized by the human dark-adapted eyes. The decay time is defined as the afterglow time. In addition, JIS-C-7603 for glow-lighting tubes specifies that a glow-lighting tube stored in a dark place for 15 hours or more is to be tested for the discharge start time, as a “test for a dark place lighting place”. I have. Therefore, "15"
More than time ".

According to the present invention, the glow starter is started to discharge using the afterglow of the long persistence phosphor as described above. Therefore, the long afterglow phosphor is disposed on the discharge tube such that the afterglow emitted from the long afterglow phosphor is at least partially incident on the electrode surface of the discharge tube. Various forms are conceivable as the form of such an arrangement, but as in the invention according to claim 2, the long afterglow phosphor is kneaded into an optically transmissive resin or glass, A method for use in part or all of a discharge tube,
As in the invention described in the above, the long afterglow phosphor is made into a paint or an ink with a resin having optical transparency, and is fixed to the tube surface by painting or printing. In this way, a light emitting member using a long afterglow phosphor is formed, and the afterglow emitted from the long afterglow phosphor is at least partially incident on the electrode surface of the discharge tube, The light emitting member can be fixed to a part of the discharge tube.

Here, the phrase “optically transmissive” means that ultraviolet light and visible light that are effective for exciting the long persistence phosphor reach and that the light emitted from the long persistence phosphor can be emitted to the outside. Characteristics. Further, as the resin according to claim 2 or 3, a plastic resin, for example, a polystyrene resin, a polypropylene resin, a polyethylene resin, a polycarbonate resin, an ABS resin, an acrylic resin, a nylon resin, a polyacetal resin, a phenol resin, or the like is used. Can be.

The term "kneading into resin" in the invention of claim 2 means that, for example, a resin having optical transparency is heated to 250 to 300 ° C., and a long afterglow is contained therein. After mixing and mixing 5 to 30% by weight of the phosphor, injection molding or extrusion molding is used to produce a glow starter cap. Further, "kneading into glass" means, for example, that a glass resin having optically transmissive properties is heated and melted, and a long afterglow phosphor is added thereto in an amount of 5% to 15%.
Addition, mixing, and the like, and producing a glow starter cap by molding.

The phrase "used for part or all of the discharge tube" means that the whole of the discharge tube is formed by forming such a kneaded state, or a part of the discharge tube is formed. To do. The term “formation of a paint” in the invention according to claim 3 is the same as the case of making a paint when the long afterglow phosphor is considered to be a pigment. Can be added and mixed at a ratio of 10% by weight to 50% by weight.

[0011] The term "inking" is the same as inking when the long afterglow phosphor is considered to be a pigment. For example, the long afterglow phosphor as a pigment has translucency. The printing can be performed by adding and mixing a printing resin such as a medium at a ratio of 20% by weight to 40% by weight, and adjusting the viscosity with a solvent such as a thinner. The “light-emitting member” in the invention according to claim 4 is, for example, a strip such as a sheet formed in advance using a long persistence phosphor.
When such a light-emitting member is used, the light-emitting member can be fixed to the discharge tube by means such as sticking.

[0012] The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claims 1, 2, and 3.
Or a long afterglow phosphor having a peak wavelength of afterglow of 520 nm or less, in addition to the configuration of the invention described in 4 above. The invention according to claim 6 is based on claims 1 and 2,
In addition to the constitution of the invention described in 3, 4, or 5, as long afterglow phosphors, SrAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, SrAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu,
Dy, CaAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Nd and Sr ₄ Al
_At least one phosphor selected from the group consisting of ₁₄ O ₂₅ : Eu, Dy phosphors is used.

The long afterglow phosphor as exemplified here is:
All are phosphors having an emission peak at 520 nm or less. Of course, a long afterglow phosphor other than that described in claim 6 can be used in the present invention. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect, the amount of the long persistence phosphor fixed to the surface of the discharge tube is at least 2 mg or more. It is characterized by having.

Here, 2 mg or more means that the amount of the long afterglow phosphor as a raw material is 2 mg or more, not the weight after being made into a paint or ink.

[0015]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the types and amounts of phosphors.
The case where the granularity is variously changed will be described. (Example 1) Phosphor SrAl having a particle size of 200 mesh or more
After mixing 166 mg of ₂ O ₄ : Eu and 133 mg of varnish to form a paint, the entire amount was as shown in FIG.
Sample 1- (1) was applied to the outer surface of FG-1E glass and cured by ultraviolet light. At this time, the shortest distance from the long persistence phosphor to the electrode surface was 3.5 mm.

Samples 1- (2) to 1- (4) were prepared in the same manner as described above except that only the type of phosphor was changed. The phosphor specifically used is as follows: Sample 1- (2) SrAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Dy Sample 1- (3) Sr ₄ Al ₁₄ O ₂₅ : Eu, Dy Sample 1- (4) CaAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Nd Sample 1- (5) ZnS: Cu.

The sum of these samples is
It is shown in Table 1.

[0018]

[Table 1]

Next, a glow star coated with each of these samples was used.
The glow starter using a commercially available RI electrode (hereinafter referred to as RI glow starter)
And a glow starter not using an RI electrode (hereinafter referred to as a non-RI glow starter). The evaluation of the discharge start characteristics for each sample was performed by leaving the sample in the dark for 90 hours, irradiating it with a fluorescent lamp FL-15 at 10,000 lux for 30 minutes, and then in the dark for 15 hours, 60 hours and 9 hours.
After storage at 0 hour and 168 hours, the discharge start time was measured by the circuit shown in FIG.

Further, here, six samples were prepared for each sample, and the experiment was performed eight times at one minute intervals. For example, for sample 1- (1), 166 mg of SrAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu was applied to the outer surface of the glass of the gross starter FG-1E and cured by ultraviolet rays to prepare 6 pieces, each of which was 8 pieces.
Experimented one by one. Therefore, the experiment was performed 48 times. Similar experiments were performed on other samples.

The results of such experiments are shown in Tables 2 to 6, and Table 7 summarizes the average values and the like. This Table 7
In the discharge start time described in the position corresponding to each sample, the average value of the results of the above-mentioned 48 experiments is described. Also, in parentheses after the discharge start time, a relative value with respect to the discharge start time of the RI glow starter is shown.

[0022]

[Table 2]

[0023]

[Table 3]

[0024]

[Table 4]

[0025]

[Table 5]

[0026]

[Table 6]

[0027]

[Table 7]

Table 7 shows that Sample 1- (1) having an emission spectrum peak wavelength of 520 nm does not discharge after 168 hours (one week).
However, also in this case, the discharge characteristics were superior to the non-RI glow starter which did not discharge for 15 hours, 60 hours or 90 hours. Further, in the measurement after 168 hours, as shown in Table 2, two of the six glow starters using the sample 1- (1) were discharged one out of eight times. The other one did not discharge twice out of eight times. However, the remaining three discharge all, and the average discharge start time of each is 48.
They were 48 ms, 56.1 ms and 53.00 ms. Therefore, if there is no variation in products due to manufacturing, 16
Even after 8 hours, the sample 1- (1) is sufficiently practical.

Further, the emission spectrum peak wavelength is 520 n.
The sample 1- (2) of m can be used for up to about 90 hours, but is indicated as not discharging after 168 hours (one week). However, even in this case, 60
At 90 hours or 90 hours, the discharge characteristics were superior to those of the non-RI glow starter that did not discharge. Further, in the measurement after 168 hours, as shown in Table 3, one of the glow starters using the prepared sample 1- (2) did not discharge at all and the other 1 The individual was not to discharge 5 times out of 8 times. Just the remaining 4
All discharge, and the average discharge start time is 28.25 ms, 38.81 ms, 43.58 ms, respectively.
30.81 ms. Therefore, if there is no variability in the product accompanying the production, even after 168 hours,
Sample 1- (2) is sufficiently practical.

Samples 1- (3) and 1- (4), ie, a phosphor Sr ₄ Al ₁₄ O ₂₅ : Eu, Dy which emits blue-green light having an emission spectrum peak wavelength of about 490 nm, and an emission spectrum peak Phosphor Ca that emits purple light with a wavelength of about 440 nm
As shown in Tables 4 and 5, details of Al ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Nd were such that no discharge occurred even after 168 hours had passed after storage in the dark, and commercially available non-RI gloss The discharge initiation characteristics are far superior to those of the starter. In particular, sample 1-
(4) was found to be superior to a commercially available RI glow starter in terms of discharge start time.

The discharge characteristics when samples 1- (1) to 1- (4) were combined at a specific ratio were also tested. As a result, the time corresponding to the combined ratio of the discharge times of the combined samples among the discharge times of each sample described in Table 7 was obtained. Further, the same was true when two or more samples were combined. (Example 2) Next, according to the above-described experiment, the sample 1- (4) having the most excellent discharge initiation characteristics, that is, the phosphor CaAl ₂
Using O ₄ : Eu, Nd, the discharge starting characteristics when the amount of the phosphor was changed were examined.

First, in the same manner as in “Example 1”,
Phosphor CaAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Nd and varnish are made into a paint, and the whole is applied to the glass surface of glow starter FG-1E and cured by ultraviolet rays to produce phosphor CaAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu. The experiment is conducted by changing the amount of Nd and varnish. For the specific amount,
The results are shown in Table 8 and are referred to as Samples 2- (1) to (3).

[0033]

[Table 8]

Glow starter 2 provided with this phosphor
-(1) to (3) were converted to 10 by fluorescent light FL-15 as described above.
Irradiation was carried out at 000 lux for 30 minutes, and after that, after storing in the dark for 60 hours, 90 hours, and 168 hours, the discharge start time was measured by the circuit shown in FIG. Further, here, for the samples 2- (1) and (2), four samples were prepared for each sample, and the experiment was performed eight times each. Therefore, the experiment was performed 32 times. For sample 2- (3), six samples were prepared, and each experiment was performed eight times.

The results of such an experiment are shown in Tables 9 to 11, and the average is shown in Table 12. In Table 12, Sample 1- (4) is also shown. This Table 1
The discharge start time described in the position corresponding to each sample of No. 2 is an average value of the results of the above-described experiment. Also, in parentheses after the discharge start time, a relative value with respect to the discharge start time of the RI glow starter is shown.

[0036]

[Table 9]

[0037]

[Table 10]

[0038]

[Table 11]

[0039]

[Table 12]

In Table 12, Sample 1- (4) and Sample 2- (1)
In each of (3) to (3), no discharge occurred even after 168 hours had passed after storage in the dark, and a commercially available RI glo starter was used.
As compared with the above, the discharge start characteristics are comparable. From these results, it was confirmed that when irradiation was performed at 10,000 lux, the phosphor could be used sufficiently even when the amount of the phosphor was 21 mg or after 168 hours had passed.

Next, using the same sample as described above, the sample was irradiated with a fluorescent lamp FL-15 at 100 lux for 30 minutes, and then stored in the dark for 60 hours, 90 hours, and 168 hours, and then the circuit shown in FIG. The measurement was performed by measuring the discharge start time. In this measurement, the sample 1- (4) was also measured at the same time. The results are shown in Tables 13 to 16,
Table 17 summarizes the average values.

[0042]

[Table 13]

[0043]

[Table 14]

[0044]

[Table 15]

[0045]

[Table 16]

[0046]

[Table 17]

Table 17 shows that Sample 2- (3) can be used for about 90 hours, but does not discharge after 168 hours (one week). However, also in this case, as shown in Table 16, the discharge characteristics at 60 hours or 90 hours were superior to those of the non-RI glow starter that did not discharge. Furthermore,
In the measurement after the elapse of 168 hours, six prepared samples 2- (3)
Of the six glow starters using, one did not discharge twice out of eight times, two did not discharge only once out of eight times, and the remaining three all discharged, Have an average discharge start time of 7.88 ms and 18.30 ms, respectively.
ms, 41.75 ms. Therefore, the sample 2- (3) has sufficient practicality even after 168 hours has passed if the variation in the product accompanying the production is eliminated.

Samples 1- (4), 2- (1) and 2- (2)
In each case, no discharge occurred even after 168 hours had passed after storage in the dark, and the discharge initiation characteristics were far superior to those of commercially available non-RI glow starters. Further, regarding the discharge start time, compared with a commercially available RI glow starter,
This is a time range that does not hinder practical use. From this, it has been confirmed that irradiation with 100 lux leaves some anxiety after 168 hours, but it can be used sufficiently even with the phosphor of 21 mg. (Embodiment 3) Next, as in Embodiment 2, C was used as the phosphor.
aAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Nd is used, but the particle size is 200
The mixture was passed through the mesh, and the blending amounts of the phosphors CaAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Nd and varnish were changed in the same manner as in Example 2 described above.

The blending amounts are shown in Table 18 (Samples 3- (1) and (2)).

[0050]

[Table 18]

Glow starter-3 provided with this phosphor
-(1) and (2) were converted to 10,
Irradiation was carried out at 000 lux for 30 minutes, and after that, after storing in the dark for 60 hours, 90 hours, and 168 hours, the discharge start time was measured by the circuit shown in FIG. Further, here, for Samples 3- (1) and (2), six samples were prepared for each sample, and the experiment was performed eight times for each sample. Therefore, the experiment was performed 48 times.

Tables 19 and 20 show the results of such experiments, and Table 21 summarizes the average values. The discharge start time described in the position corresponding to each sample in Table 21 is an average value of the results of the above-described experiment. Also, in parentheses after the discharge start time, a relative value with respect to the discharge start time of the RI glow starter is shown.

[0053]

[Table 19]

[0054]

[Table 20]

[0055]

[Table 21]

Also in this experiment, a result that sufficiently secures practicality was obtained. Next, using the same sample as described above, the fluorescent lamp FL-15 was used for 3 hours at 100 lux.
Irradiate for 0 minutes, then 60 hours, 90 hours, 16 hours in the dark
After storage for 8 hours, the discharge start time was measured by the circuit shown in FIG. The results are shown in Tables 22 and 23.
The average values are shown in Table 24.

[0057]

[Table 22]

[0058]

[Table 23]

[0059]

[Table 24]

Also in this experiment, the result that sufficient practicality can be ensured was obtained. (Example 4) Next, an experiment was conducted on the life of the glow starter according to the present invention. First, the sample 2 shown in Table 4
(1) and (2) were mounted on a commercially available fluorescent lamp FL-10, and
Tables 25 and 26 show the results of evaluating the discharge start characteristics in the same manner as described above after lighting 0 times. Table 27 summarizes the average values in comparison with commercially available RI glow starters and non-RI glow starters.

In this experiment, after lighting 1,000 times, the fluorescent lamp FL-15 was used for 30 minutes at 10,000 lux.
Minutes, then 60 hours, 90 hours, 168 hours in the dark
After the time storage, the discharge start time was measured by the circuit shown in FIG.

[0062]

[Table 25]

[0063]

[Table 26]

[0064]

[Table 27]

Here, it was found that even after 1,000 uses, discharge characteristics almost equivalent to those of the RI glow starter were obtained. In the experiment, SrAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, SrAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Dy, Sr ₄
Al ₁₄ O ₂₅ : Eu, Dy was also performed,
Even after 0 times of lighting, almost no characteristic change was observed.

Next, in the same manner, the sample 2-
(1) and (2) were mounted on a commercially available fluorescent lamp FL-10, and
Tables 28 and 29 show the results of evaluation of the discharge start characteristics in the same manner as described above after lighting 0 times. Table 30 summarizes the average values in comparison with commercially available RI glow starters and non-RI glow starters. In this experiment, after lighting 1,000 times, irradiation was performed with a fluorescent lamp FL-15 at 100 lux for 30 minutes.
After storage for 90 hours and 168 hours, the discharge start time was measured by the circuit shown in FIG.

[0067]

[Table 28]

[0068]

[Table 29]

[0069]

[Table 30]

From Table 30, it is found that Samples 2- (1) and 2- (2) have no discharge delay even after 168 hours, and the discharge starting characteristics are much improved as compared with a normal non-RI glow starter. And
There is no practical problem compared to the RI glow starter. The experiment was performed simultaneously with SrAl ₂ O ₄ : E
u, SrAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Dy, Sr ₄ Al ₁₄ O ₂₅ : E
As for u and Dy, almost no change in characteristics was observed even after lighting 1,000 times. (Example 5) Next, an experiment was conducted on the discharge characteristics when the amount of the long persistence phosphor used was reduced.

Here, the phosphor CaAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, N
d After mixing 100 g and the transparent ink for printing 60 g, printing was performed by screen printing on a PET sheet having a thickness of 0.1 mm, and a phosphor sheet was prepared through a drying process. The phosphor sheet was disc-shaped with a diameter of 5 mm. To form a light emitting member 10 for cutting.
Further, in order to reduce the amount of the long-afterglow phosphor used, the thickness of the printed coating film on the phosphor sheet was changed.

Further, such a light emitting member 10 is attached to the inner surface of an aluminum cap of the glow starter FG-1P as shown in FIG. At this time, the shortest distance from the light emitting member 10 to the electrode surface is 6.0 mm. The sample in which the amount of the long persistence phosphor used was variously changed was used as sample 2- (4).
~ 2- (7). Table 31 summarizes these samples.

[0073]

[Table 31]

The glow starter equipped with this phosphor was irradiated with a fluorescent lamp FL-15 at 10,000 lux for 30 minutes, and then stored in the dark for 60 hours, 90 hours and 168 hours, and then shown in FIG. The measurement was performed by measuring the discharge start time by a circuit. Here, for Samples 2- (6) and 2- (7), the discharge start times after storage in the dark for 15 hours were also measured.

Here, four samples were prepared for each sample, and the experiment was performed eight times for each sample. Therefore, the experiment was performed 32 times. The results of such an experiment are shown in Tables 32, 33, 34, and 35, and Table 36 summarizes the average values. The discharge start time described in the position corresponding to each sample in Table 36 is an average value of the results of the above-described experiment. After the discharge start time,
What is described in parentheses is a relative value with respect to the discharge start time of the RI glow starter.

[0076]

[Table 32]

[0077]

[Table 33]

[0078]

[Table 34]

[0079]

[Table 35]

[0080]

[Table 36]

Here, with respect to Samples 2- (4) and 2- (5), the discharge start time after storage for 15 hours in the dark was not measured, but if discharge was performed after storage for 60 hours in the dark,
Naturally, the battery was discharged after storage for 15 hours in the dark, so that the description was omitted. From the results shown in Table 36, CaAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, N
Regarding d, it was confirmed that even after using only 2 mg, the battery was discharged after being stored in the dark for 15 hours.

The experiment was performed simultaneously with SrAl ₂ O ₄ : E
u, SrAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Dy, Sr ₄ Al ₁₄ O ₂₅ : E
For u and Dy, it was confirmed that discharge was performed after storage for 15 hours in the dark even when only 2 mg was used. (Example 6) Next, an experiment was conducted on the discharge starting characteristics of the glow discharge.

Normally, the glow lamp is exposed to external light or light from a fluorescent lamp when used, and thus the long persistence phosphor is excited by the external light or the light from the fluorescent lamp. Therefore, in normal use, the long persistence phosphor cannot be excited only by glow discharge. However, here, the discharge characteristics of the case where the glow lamp according to the present invention was excited only by glow discharge were also tested.

The glow starter used here is:
It is of the FG-1E type as shown in FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the light emitting member 10 obtained by cutting the phosphor sheet is used by attaching it to the outer surface of the glow starter. However, FG-1P as shown in FIG.
Types can also be used. Further, here, after storing the samples 1- (1), 1- (2), 1- (4) shown in Table 1 and the samples 2- (1) to (3) shown in Table 8 for 90 hours in the dark, In this state, it is attached to a commercially available fluorescent lamp FCL-30,
After performing self-excitation by glow discharge by turning on twice,
Tables 37 to 42 show the results of evaluating the discharge start characteristics in the same manner as described above. In addition, the sum of the average values is expressed as R
Table 43 shows a comparison with the I glow starter and the non-RI glow starter.

[0085]

[Table 37]

[0086]

[Table 38]

[0087]

[Table 39]

[0088]

[Table 40]

[0089]

[Table 41]

[0090]

[Table 42]

[0091]

[Table 43]

As apparent from Table 43, Sample 1-
Comparison between (2) and 1- (4) shows that the phosphor CaAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu,
It can be seen that Nd has better discharge characteristics than the phosphor SrAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Dy. This is because the spectral wavelength of light emission by glow discharge performed inside the glow starter is 280 to 400 nm, and the phosphor CaAl ₂ O ₄ : E
The excitation spectrum peak of u and Nd is 330 nm, and the excitation spectrum peak of phosphor SrAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu and Dy is 3
Since it is 80 nm, the phosphor Ca
It is considered that one of the causes is that Al ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Nd is more sufficiently excited.

In Table 43, the phosphor CaAl ₂ O ₄ :
By arranging 42 mg of Eu, Nd, no discharge delay occurs even after 168 hours, and it can be confirmed that self-excitation can be sufficiently performed, and it can sufficiently withstand practical use. Furthermore, after storage for 15 hours in the dark, all samples were discharged. However, samples 1- (4), 2
Regarding-(1) and 2- (2), since the battery was discharged even after storage for 60 hours in the dark, the experiment was omitted, as a matter of course, because the battery was discharged after storage for 15 hours.

[0094]

As described above, according to the present invention, the remaining phosphor is fixed to the surface or the inner surface of the tube of the glow starter, having a certain energy or more and exhibiting a sufficiently long persistence. An object of the present invention is to provide a practical glow starter that does not require the addition of a radioactive substance by utilizing the photoelectric effect caused by light.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a glow starter (FG-1E).

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the glow starter (FG-1P).

FIG. 3 is a circuit for measuring a discharge start time.

FIG. 4 is another circuit for measuring a discharge start time.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Light-emitting members

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masumi Ishikawa 1-1-15, Kamiogi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo Marunouchi Building Nemoto Special Chemical Co., Ltd. (72) Tomoya Sakaguchi 1-1-15, Kamiogi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo Marusan Building Nemoto Special Chemical Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A long afterglow phosphor having an afterglow time of at least 15 hours or more required for the luminance to attenuate to 0.32 mCd / m ² , wherein the afterglow emitted from the long afterglow phosphor is A glow starter, wherein the glow starter is arranged on the discharge tube such that at least a part of the glow enters the electrode surface of the discharge tube. 2. A long afterglow phosphor having an afterglow time of at least 15 hours or more required for the luminance to attenuate to 0.32 mCd / m ² is kneaded with an optically transmissive resin or glass. A glow starter characterized in that it is used for part or all of a discharge tube. 3. A long afterglow phosphor having an afterglow time of at least 15 hours or more required for the luminance to attenuate to 0.32 mCd / m ² is formed into a coating with a resin having optical transparency. A glow starter characterized by being made into an ink or a light emitting member and fixed to the tube surface by painting, printing or sticking. 4. A light-emitting member using a long-persistent phosphor, wherein the afterglow time required for the luminance to attenuate to 0.32 mCd / m ² is at least 15 hours or more. A glow starter characterized in that a light emitting member is fixed to a part of a discharge tube such that at least a part of the afterglow emitted from an optical phosphor is incident on an electrode surface of the discharge tube. 5. A long afterglow phosphor having a peak wavelength of afterglow of 520 nm or less is used.
The glow starter according to 2, 3, or 4. 6. A long afterglow phosphor as SrAl ₂ O ₄ :
Eu, SrAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Dy, CaAl ₂ O ₄ : E
6. The glow according to claim 1, wherein at least one phosphor selected from the group consisting of u, Nd and Sr ₄ Al ₁₄ O ₂₅ : Eu, Dy phosphors is used. starter. 7. The glow starter according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the long persistence phosphor disposed in the discharge tube is at least 2 mg or more.